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When we need feedback on new Realm features, who do we call? No, not Ghostbusters. We call our Cool Cats!

Jen, Jerry, and Melissa work at Lake Forest Community Church in Huntersville, North Carolina. We like to think of them as Cool Cats because “the CAT” is our Customer Advisory Team, where customers can influence the future of Realm.

Jen, Jerry, and Melissa with the UX team at the 2016 I2I Conference.

Right now, Lake Forest uses ACS OnDemand. So why do we ask them about Realm? Well, we value everyone’s opinion — no matter what denomination or size. The feedback we’ve gotten from CAT members has helped us create what you see in Realm today.

Let’s see how Jen, Jerry, and Melissa have influenced the future of Realm. But first, let’s learn a little about them.

Jen Poppen, Systems Coordinator for Lake Forest, takes care of all things database. She also works as the Camp Director for Uniquely U Summer Art Camp for elementary kids.

As Director of Campus Operations, Jerry Goedert helps keep everything and everyone moving in the right direction. He can fix anything from a computer to a crying toddler.

Ministry Assistant, Melissa Alvarez, works with all departments and ministry partners to coordinate the church calendar. She supports the ministry teams and serves in local and global missions.

When we were building event registration back in March, Lake Forest was nice enough to let us visit during an event. We learned what they go through to create, schedule, and manage events for their 1,500 congregants. Being there helped us understand the whole picture, not just the software part.

Then in August, we visited their campus again one Sunday to see first-hand how child check-in worked for them. This helped us recognize their pain points, goals, and needs that we can’t get from other research. We took this back to our development team so they could build a better experience in Realm.

If you don’t have time for us to visit, that’s okay — we know how busy you are. Although we enjoy seeing church ministries in action, we can set up an online meeting to show you designs and listen to what you think. Our feedback sessions can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

If you’d like to see future Realm designs and give your feedback, become part of the CAT! Email UXTeam@acstechnologies.com with your name and site number, and when we have designs related to your role, we’ll contact you to set up a meeting.

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About ACS Technologies

Founded in 1978, ACS Technologies is the leading provider of information management solutions to nearly 50,000 churches, schools, and organizational offices. With brands such as ACS™, PDS™, Membership Plus™, The City, Realm™, and HeadMaster™, ACS Technologies enables churches to manage every vital area of their ministry from finances to relationships, from events and groups to giving and serving. Whether online, desktop, wireless, or mobile, the passion that drives ACS Technologies is maximizing technology's value for ministry. ACS Technologies is a privately held company headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, with offices in Phoenix, Arizona and Seattle, Washington.